Election 2012: Odds and Ends

 

 

-The Florida primary is yielding a ton of interesting information for people to ponder over their morning coffee. First and foremost the turnout was a quarter of a million voters less than in 2008 showing a real lack of excitement about the choice of Republicans.

-One of the most interesting exit poll numbers in Florida was that 40% of the people, who did bother to vote, wished there was someone else running! Hardly a sweeping endorsement of Romney, is it?

-The 35% of Florida voters who descried themselves as 'very conservative' and strong supporters of the Tea Party voted by wide margin for Newt.

-Really good news is coming out of Ohio. President Obama is making a big comeback in the Buckeye State! Where he was once behind, he is now leading Mitt by 7%. The President's approval rating has jumped since last November by 8%. Ironically, Santorum does better than Romney against the President and trails him by 6%.

-More good news out of Oregon! In a race that was expected to be closer, Democrat Suzanne Bonamici defeated Republican Rob Cornilles by a landslide margin of 57% to 38% for a special election to fill the seat in Oregon's 1st Congressional District.

-Santorum is working Colorado, the home of Focus of the Family, hard. According to CNN he has picked up the endorsements of former Congressman Tom Tancredo, former Congressman Bob Schaffer and former Lt. Governor Jane Norton.

-Here is the February schedule for the primaries and caucuses:

Nevada caucuses - February 4
Maine caucuses - February 4-11
Minnesota caucuses - February 7
Missouri primary - February 7
Colorado caucuses - February 7
Arizona primary - February 28
Michigan primary - February 29

-The good news for Romney is that the states of Nevada, Colorado and Arizona have some of the largest Mormon populations in the country (see map). Nevada is at about 7%, Arizona has 6% and Colorado is more on the low end with 3%.

-Missouri could be a problem for Romney. In the latest Public Policy Polling, Romney was running third in the quest for delegates in the caucuses. Gingrich was at 30%, Santorum was at 28% and Romney at 24%. Wouldn't be surprised if Santorum took Missouri after Florida.

-Political genius Nate Silver for the "New York Times" had presented "Five Paths Forward for the GOP Nomination" in his latest column. It is well worth the read!

-President Obama 445 bundlers raised an astounding $74 million last year. Sixty of the fundraiser brought in over $500,000 each to the campaign.

-If Maryland passes marriage equality in its legislature, it is likely to face a referendum in November. The latest poll taken by the "Washington Post" has marriage equality winning by 50% to 44%! That is the largest margin since they started taking polls on the issue in Maryland.

-"Edge" reports that a former Romney Intern when he was running for Governor of Massachusetts says the flyer distributed at Gay Pride 2002 was cleared by the campaign. In that flyer Romney endorses marriage equality.

-Incumbent Senator Bill Nelson from Florida is in a tough race. Although the latest Suffolk University poll had him with a ten point lead over Republican Congressman Connie Mack (son of the former Senator).

-First Lady Michelle Obama charmed a crowd of Hollywood types at a fundraiser in the home of former Ambassador to the Bahamas Nicole Avant and her husband, Netflix's Ted Sarandos. Among those attending the event (where some paid up to $35,000!) wereJeffrey Katzenberg, Steve Bing, Berry Gordy, Vivica Ferrell, Quincy Jones, Jerry and Ann Moss, Jimmy Jam, Irena and Mike Medavoy, Rob and Michele Reiner, Terry Lewis, Reed Hastings, Arnon Milchan and Harvey Weinstein.

Hell's Kitchen Journal: Going To The White House...

 

 

One of my first meetings at the White House at 23

This week I was fortunate enough to be invited one more time to the White House. On the train ride down and back, there was time to reflect on my previous visits and interactions. What was so dramatically different this visit than any other was the ease and comfort level with the members of the LGBT community who were at the party. No censoring of the hugs, the kiss on the lips or having to prove we were good guests.

The simplest way to state the difference was that it was just no longer any big deal for LGBT Americans to be included in guest lists at the Executive Mansion. Besides, for the first time we had an openly gay White House Social Secretary (and dear friend...) in Jeremy Bernard. The event couldn't have been any more perfect.

That always hasn't been the case.

My first visit to the White House was when President Lyndon Johnson was in power. Author Doris Kearns Goodwin was working in the White House to organize the President's papers and she greeted me warmly. For a young man of just 23 it was the ultimate 'pinch me' moment. All you had to do back then was show your driver license, they would check the list and buzz you into the long driveway that leads to the West Wing. My memory is that I took tiny baby steps leading to the entrance for fear of missing any part of the experience. Never did it dawn on me that I would walk that same path in six other Presidential administrations

In the early Nixon years, there were numerous White House visits. The President's team had seen the power of the students in bringing down Johnson because of the Vietnam War and they were felt they could 'handle us' and diminish the possibility of more protests. Obviously, it didn't work. One of those visits they had about a dozen of us to a meeting in the West Wing and then we boarded Marine One helicopter for a flight to Airlie House in Virginia for an all day meeting with the likes of Haldeman, Erlichman, John Dean and crew. Remember sitting there and wondering if they knew I was a homosexual.

Jumping head to Clinton there was no question when he was elected that I felt that I would have total access to the building. Not wanting an appointment, I looked forward with excitement to finally having a President that I personally knew in the Mansion. That ended quickly when I got arrested outside the edifice over the DADT policy.

Not until later years in the second term did I finally get invited to a Christmas Party and a State Dinner. The dinner was for the President of India. Afterwards the Marine Band played dance music in the East Room and for the first time for me there was dancing by LGBT couples. Looking on in amazement, there was Melissa Eltheridge cutting a mean rug with her then partner.

Yesterday was the first time I was invited for a social event in this administration. There was such comfort among us all. Couldn't help but reflect on all the times that were different. The times I went terrified and in the closet. When couples were not allowed to be invited. Then there were those times we couldn't acknowledge each other as LGBT citizens or touch in any way let alone dance in celebration.

An enormous amount has changed from that first walk up the driveway except one important factor: Over the years, I have been there dozens of times and never, ever has it become common place. Each and every time I walked into that building I took in its beauty and magnificent history and I was in awe and had chills.

I still am and I still do.

Impressions...by David Mixner

 

 

-The world is about to have its second openly LGBT Prime Minister. Joining Iceland's lesbian Prime Minister Johanna Siguroardottir will be Elio di Rupo of Belgium (above). The Socialist should be sworn in today and form a government at the request of King Albert II. When asked if he was gay he simply said, "Yes, so what?" He has his work cut out for him in the deeply divided and economically troubled nation.

-In a teaser on Twitter, Public Policy Polling says that Newt Gingrich in North Carolina will be the first candidate to get above 50% in a state that is not their home state. This always has been one of Newt's strongest states.

-Big news coming out of Maine! In just twelve weeks, Equality Maine has gathered over 100,000 signatures to put marriage equality on the ballot. The Pine Tree State will vote next year and the polling is looking good.

-A social worker, Carol Mapley, will be the first Transgender person running for public office in Scotland. She will seek a seat on the Castle Douglas and Glenkins Council.

-Scottish sculptor Martin Boyce has won the very prestigious Turner Prize. The award is given to a British artist under 50 who had the best exhibit in the last year.

-Did you know that archaeologists estimate that there are over 20,000 slaves in different burial sites in New York City?

-AllOut.org has collected and presented over 55,000 signatures to the Nigerian consulate in New York to protest anti-LGBT legislation in that nation.  They collected them in just a long weekend.  This is an amazing organization and you can still sign the petition by clicking here.

-In the NBC/ Marist Poll, Gingrich has jumped 20 points in New Hampshire and is in striking distance of Romney .

-Buckingham Palace has had the first reception for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee. Everyone seem to be able to make it with Kate and William smiling throughout. This kicks off a year of activities.

-Oh God, don't you wish you were an investor? On November 29, the Broadway smash musical Book of Mormon recouped its entire capitalization. It is all profit from now on and last week they played to a 102% house.

-The Los Angeles Times has a terrific story on openly gay philanthropist David Bohnett (below). He is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has given nearly $20 million to LGBT causes over the years. Be sure to read this wonderful article.

-Dr. Jeff Masters of WeatherUnderground.com writes that if Hurricane Irene's winds had just been 10 mph higher the subways of New York City would have completely flooded. The entire article is amazing about the consequences of the Hurricane in the New York City area.

-You can find hope in Massachusetts! Elizabeth Warren is leading incumbent Republican Scott Brown by 4% according to UMass Amherst Poll.

-ArtForum.com had director John Waters select his ten favorite movies of 2011.

-Sundance Film Festival will premiere the documentary on Bishop Eugene Robinson - "Live Free or Die." This film reunites the team of Macky Alston and Sandra Itkoff.

-Bil Browing of the "Bilerico Project" has a good article that will make you think twice before putting any money in the Salvation Army's little red buckets this holiday season.

-The second Presidential candidate to endorse marriage equality is a Republican. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson joins openly gay presidential candidate Fred Karger in supporting same sex marriage.

-Love this youtube.com spot from Canada celebrating the nation's embracing of marriage equality.

Impressions...by David Mixner

 

 

 

 Broadway Impact Team

 
-Wonder if Tiffany's will allow Newt Gingrich to use that million dollar line of credit for his campaign since his campaign is that amount in debt. With practically no staff, no finance committee left and no money, I think we can now chalk up this campaign as nothing more than a vehicle for Newt to sell books and his movies. By the way, $400,000 of that million of debt is for private jets and he wants to act righteous about the budget?

-Another anti-gay bigot is having trouble raising funds. Former United States Senator Rick Santorum has raised only $580,000 for his national campaign. At this rate, soon openly gay Republican candidate Fred Karger will surpass him!

-Broadway Impacts will hit the road with the new Dustin Lance Black play on Proposition 8. Both Cory O'Malley and Gavin Creel (photograph) will do performances at their alma maters. Black's "8" will premiere on Broadway for a one night star studded cast reading on September 18 and then spread out across the country. The evening will be a benefit for the American Foundation for Equal Rights which is financing the Proposition 8 court case.

-The Sunshine State News is reporting that the recent unemployment figures are seriously hurting President Obama in Florida. Polls show Romney carrying every area of the state except South Florida. The President narrowly carried the Sunshine State in 2008.

-What is the most expensive city in the world in which to live? New York? London? Nope, it is Luanda in the African nation of Angola! Then comes Tokyo in 2nd place followed by N'Djamena in Chad! Mercer's Cost Of Living Survey says the most expensive city in the Americas is San Paulo in Brazil.

-In Quinnipiac University new national poll, Michele Bachmann is surging forward. Romney is leading with 25% but Bachmann jumped to second with 14% of the vote. Placing third with 12% is Sarah Palin. What a distinguished list of candidates the Republicans have this year.

-A trip down memory lane was sent to me by Karen Ocamb of LGBTPOV. The video shows Bill Clinton taking about HIV/AIDS in his presidential campaign in 1992. The video was not an HRC event but actually was from his famous "I Have A Vision And You Are Part Of It" speech at the Hollywood Palace in May, 1992 which was sponsored by ANGLE. Take a look:

-Janet Weinberg who is COO of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) has written a wonderful article for their blog. "What's Love (And Marriage) Got To Do With It." She has done a nice job and the piece is a very good read.

-Janice Hahn was just elected in a special election in South California to Congress to replace Jane Harmon. Hahn is a pro-marriage equality edition to the United States Congress.

-Open lesbian Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin is moving full steam ahead in her preparations to run for United States Senate in Wisconsin. She is in full fundraising mode with a huge $1.1 million cash on hand. You can add to her effort by clicking here.

-New York City Council President Christine Quinn is doing great in her fundraising as she prepares for her race for mayor. She reportedly raised $1.32 million in just the last six months. This is a great month for lesbians raising money to run for office!

-Exceptional Drought is hitting a good part of the United States and wreaking havoc with our economy. Take a look at the map.

 

-The first rate journalist Chris Geidner has posted in MetroWeekly an excellent two piece series on the history of DOMA in the Clinton years. "The Marriage Wars" is a must read.

-Who are the major LGBT bundlers for Obama so far in this election? The bundlers list on Sun Light Foundation shows the names of those raising over $500,000 of Andy Tobias and Eugene Sepulveda. Raising over $200,000 was Jeff Soref, Dana Perlman, Barry Karas and Sally Susman.

-Polls show that Senator Bob Casey is in great shape for re-election in Pennsylvania!

-National Geographic is reporting that they have discovered huge undersea volcanoes off Antarctica. Some are as high as Mt. Fuji!

-President Obama has been over the last several polls holding an 8% lead in North Carolina but in the last weeks has taken a serious dip. Public Policy Polling shows our President now tied with Governor Romney.

-Towleroad.com has a trailer for Josh Howard's new documentary "The Lavender Scare" concerning the witch hunt against homosexuals in government in the 1950's. Click here to see this trailer of an important upcoming film.

-Who could not be moved with our active duty soldiers marching in the San Diego Pride Parade and the huge reaction from the crowds. Take a look!

DADT: For God's Sake, Just Do It

 

 

 

Last December the LGBT community received an amazing holiday gift wrapped in an impressive ceremony with the President of the United States signing legislation to begin the repeal of DADT. The moment was powerful and unforgettable in our history. Unfortunately, if the administration keeps dragging its feet on certification that fine moment could turn messy. Court decisions have come down before the certification process 'has been completed'.

Republicans are making noises about intervening in the case and causing trouble in the House. The time has long passed for the certification to be completed. We have seen time and time again with marriage equality that once a state accepts it that the reality soon makes it a non-issue in the states where it has passed. The same will happen with DADT once it is fully implemented.

The heads of the different military branches have indicated they are ready to go. Even with the court case, the Pentagon's response was to get it done. The military's willingness is appearing to be more responsive than the administration's in completing the certification. Now, I am sure the 'civilians' are looking at all those silly issues like showers and base housing for couples. The format is a real simple one. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Simply put, whatever rules, regulations, protections, benefits offered heterosexual soldiers should be offered to LGBT soldiers. Please don't issue a bunch of offensive regulations that just apply to LGBT citizens. . The military is ready to do it with full equality. How sad would it be if the Obama administration fiddled around with this one and loses all the good will they created last December.

Republicans: Seven Months And Counting

 

 

 

With less time than it takes to produce a baby, Republicans have seven months until the first decisions will be made by the voters. The field is still very much in flux and several key decisions are awaited - especially from Sarah Palin and Governor Rick Perry. For those of us who are scared of the entire field, their decision could have a decisive impact on the future of the country and especially the struggle for LGBT full equality.

Let's take a look at the candidates and see how they stack up at this moment:

Mitt Romney: His good news is that he is leading in most of the polls, has raised a ton of money and Jon Huntsman doesn't appear to be getting off the ground. His bad news is that after six years of campaigning he has trouble breaking 30% in most states. This is not good but nevertheless he would have to be considered an extremely weak 'frontrunner.'

Congresswomen Michele Bachmann: You know the world is getting in a very sad shape when Michele Bachmann is actually treated like a serious candidate for President. In many ways, she makes Sarah Palin look like a liberal. The fact that she is tied or leading Romney in some states is enough to make you want to review the requirements for Canadian citizenship.

Sarah Palin: The Hamlet candidate of the race. Will she give up her money machine to run for President? Hell, she couldn't even wait for her term of governor to be finished before resigning. My guess is she will milk this decision for all its worth and not run. She really hasn't raised money, key staff is signing with others and appears very relaxed about it all.

Governor Rick Perry: Still officially in the "undecided category," the Texas governor is making sounds like he actually may enter the race. Although he has the capacity to make President George W Bush look like an intellectual, he is also one of the toughest and shrewdest politicians in the country. With the beginning of a "Jesus and Pray" campaign he could very quickly take away a lot of the thunder from Bachmann and others. Don't forget the number of delegates that Perry will becoming to the Convention with from Texas.

Governor Tim Pawlenty: Minnesota is next door to Iowa. The people of the first caucus state know and have heard from Pawlenty over the years. The trouble is that his neighbors are not moving toward him and he has a hard time breaking 5-7%. Mr. Vice-President nominee?

Newt Gingrich: The question is if it is legal to use Tiffany line of credits for campaign funds. It is not possible to lose all your campaign and finance staff and still be considered serious. It is not that he fired them and immediately replaced them with others. Posing on that rock in his bathing trunks in the Greek Isles might have been very costly indeed.

Congressman Ron Paul: No matter how one feels about Ron Paul and his positions it would be hard to argue that he is not the most principled candidate in the race. He does well in caucus states but not in primary states. He could be a pain in the ass to Perry in Texas.

Jon Huntsman: Without question this is the man who could give President Obama a tough race for his money. Intelligent, attractive and not a crazy. He is the UTAH governor that says he supports civil unions and refuses to apologize for it. However his 'reasoned positions' on the issues is most likely why he will never get the nomination.

Herman Cain: The candidate everyone loves but won't vote for in the end. The pizza king acknowledges he knows nothing about foreign policy, has no experience in public life and is a good speaker. Is he running to be keynote speaker at the convention?

Fred Karger: is the running in the campaign as an openly gay moderate candidate. He is making a mark and it will be interesting to see if he obtain a position in one of the debates.

Rick Santorum: is just not going to happen. Why go with a has been when you have the real stuff in Perry and Bachmann?

Impressions.......by David Mixner

 

 

 

-Vermont is just perfect. That is according to eQualitygiving.org who has ranked every state on a full equality scorecard. Vermont is the first state to reach 100% for LGBT equality. Click here to check out your state's score!

-What a difference nine months makes! Last Fall when the DavidMixner.com poll inquired your opinion of Obama's performance over 70% of readers rated him 'bad' or 'disasterous". In last week's poll asking the same question 60% rated the President "Excellent" or "Good"! Only 14% still gave him negative rating!

-Now here is something to ponder from author Fareed Zakaria.

Apple has about $70 billion in revenues. The company that makes Apple's products called Foxconn is in China. They have about the same revenue - $70 billion dollars.

Apple employees 50,000 people. Foxconn employs 1,000,000 people. So you can have all the innovation you want and tens of thousands of engineers in California benefit, but hundreds of thousands of people benefit in China because the manufacturing has gone there.

-David Catanese on Politico.com has ranked the toughest ten governor races for 2012. Holding down the Number 1 position is Montana. Check out the others by clicking here.

-The media is saturated with stories surrounding the 30th anniversary of HIV/AIDS. Without question, Karen Ocamb of LGBTPOV.com, has been running some of the best. She has reached into the past and taken us back to those days. She has amazing videos and historical documents from the early days. Please check it out.

-Talented artist George Towne is opening his new show "In The Company of Men..." at the Michael Mut Gallery in New York City on June 10. George's portraits of men are so powerful. Hope you can make it down there to witness it firsthand.

-Marylouise Oates filed another story on Huffington Post from the recently held "La Pietra Summit" in Italy. She wrote of the problems of getting the G-20 Summit to include gender issues:

Mayra Buvinic, the World Bank gender and social development expert, explained the G20 was the logical first focus for women's financial inclusion. "It obviously used to be the G8 that was calling the shots. Now there is a huge shift -- a bigger player and a more important player, presenting a great opportunity for the intervention of a coalition. The G20 is a great target for the La Pietra Coalition." But, she cautioned about the difficulty of making a success the first time out: "Last year some people tried to get gender on the agenda at the last minute at the G20 in Korea. There were seven main priorities there, seven working groups -- but only on 'skills strengthening' was gender mentioned.

-LGBTQ.com has a delightful column on its site called "Confessions of a Blog Addict." Click on it and enjoy.

-GetEqual.org is having a New York City fundraiser on June 18 (Saturday) at 2PM. The event for the activist group will be held at XES Lounge located at 157 West 24th Street. Click here to make a donation or get a ticket.

-ThinkProgress.org has launched a new page dedicated to LGBT issues. Check it out.

-Speaking of web pages, the White House has set up an LGBT page on the official White House web site. Not sure but this might be another first for them.

-In the "Don't you wish you had the nerve to do it" department comes this gem. When a passenger on an United Airlines flight to Ghana put back his seat all the way, it led to what was described as a slap fight. started by the person sitting in the seat behind. God, I wish I sometimes could slap someone on an airline flight.

-Public Policy Polling last poll on the anti-marriage equality ballot measure in Minnesota showed the race is dead even.

-A new CNN poll shows that 58% of American would like tank Congressman Paul Ryan's plan for Medicare. Only 35% of Americans support it and they are all conservative Republicans.

 
 
 -Want to head to London next year for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012? You can find out all the plans by clicking here. Looks like the real action starts won June 3rd (Sunday) when the Queen will lead 1,000 boats up the Thames on her Royal Barge!

-The latest Ohio poll numbers have liberal Democratic incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown leading all Republican comers anywhere from 14% to 18%.

-If the 2012 Presidential election was held in New York today, the Quinnipiac University poll shows that President Obama would win New York by 57%! He received 62% in the 2008 election.

-Pam's House Blend printed a letter from former US Senate candidate Jim Neal who disrupted the North Carolina legislature while they were considering anti-LGBT legislation.

-The Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute has announced their selection for this years David Bohnett Follows. Fourteen officials were selected to attend special time at Harvard's Kennedy School. In making the announcement, Michael Fleming pointed out that Mayor Annise Parker was a one time Bohnett Fellow.

-The National Weather Bureau has announced that we have had five EF-5 tornados this year. This almost record breaking number is amazing. For a list of other major records that have fallen in this year of the tornado just click here.

-The capture of war criminal Serbian Ratko Mladic is a relief to all who love peace. However, these successful arrests overshadow the horror inflicted on others. Mladic is accused of being responsible for the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Bosnia in 1995. Boston.com's Big Picture has a photo essay to remind us of his deeds.

-The United States Army has opened their new web site for doing away with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" At the same time, Secretary of Defense Gates has told the armed forces that not liking LGBT Americans serving in the military is not reason for fudging one's commitment to serve. Slowly but surely we are heading toward full implementation.

-Another horrible statistic pointing to Climate Change. According to The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre over 42 million people were forced to flee their homes because of natural disasters. Most of the people forced to flee did so because of floods and

-Daguerreotype was the first successful commercial photograph process. My Daguerreotype Boyfriend has some old fashion photographs that include some handsome men. Loved these photographs. Click here for the rest.

 

 

Republicans: Onward Christian Soldiers....

 

 

 

The silly season has begun for the Republican candidates for the Presidency. This is the time before the primaries they are obligated to attend one right wing forum after another proving their right wing creeds. This week it was the turn of the Faith and Freedom Conference two day gathering in Washington, DC. Like good Christian soldiers, the candidates paraded before them reassuring them of their personal family values (not a bad thing in itself) and promising to protect those values from those horrible LGBT Americans (a very bad thing).

Watching the usual haters of Bachmann, Gingrich and Cain march across the stage proudly carrying the banner of Christian righteous was not the least bit surprising. However it is still hard for me to watch what are supposed to be mainstream Republicans abandon all sense of decency to play to the mob. Intelligent John Huntsman could not speak enough about his anti-choice credentials. Romney once again proclaimed loudly that marriage is between a man and women.

The award for pandering at this Conference has to go to Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota! He enunciated common sense principles that would be the basis of his campaign.

1. Turn the nation back toward God.

2. Protect the unborn.

3. Support Traditional Marriage

4. Keep America Secure

Really Tim, Really? What about jobs, education, unemployment, healthcare, climate change or almost any other issue? As people are frantic for jobs are they reallyworried about 'traditioinal marriage' and 'turning the nation back to God'

Impressions.....by David Mixner

 

 

 

-Imagine getting beeped to immediately come to the White House late at night. That must have sent chills up the spine. Loved the above photograph of President Obama.

-Wonder how long it will take "The Donald" to demand to see Osama bin Laden's death certificate?

-According to an ABC/Washington Post poll 64% of Americans don't believe the Afghanistan War is worth fighting however I don't know how the death of bin Laden will impact those numbers.

-For reaction to the news about bin Laden from around the world check out the headlines from the different publications by clicking here.

-The much talked about Chaz Bono documentary, "Becoming Chaz" will air on OWN on Tuesday, May 10th at 10:30PM. . Check out the trailer by clicking here. Be sure to tune in.

-Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain apparently has way too much time on his hands. He wants to ban all 'gay kisses' until late night hours on the Telly? Does he think Brits will turn into raving Labor voters if they see two gay's kiss? Sure does make you miss Gordon and Sarah Brown, doesn't it?

-I know, I know the Royal Wedding is over but Boston.com's Big Picture has some really neat photographs from the event. Take a look. Did you know that among the titles bestowed on the newly wed couple was the Baron and Baroness of Carrickfergus?  Say what?

-A Public Policy Poll in West Virginia for the Republican Presidential primary next year shows Donald Trump and Mike Huckabee tied at 24%. Another step in the process of West Virginia becoming the new capital of intolerance. The Republicans favorite poll, Rasmussen Reports, shows that nationally the Republicans like "The Donald" the best.

-Every wonder just how massively big is Africa? Just click here and look at this map in amazement.

-No matter what facts are presented you just can't convince some people. A Survey USA poll taken after the President released his birth certificate showed that 10% of the people of this country believed it was a forgery. Really? I want what they are smoking.

-The pro-marriage equality forces are not resting in New York. In a letter to New York lawmakers over two dozen major hedge fund CEO's and business leaders call for the Empire State to pass marriage equality.

-Kudos to NBC's Brian Williams (photograph) for making the right decision and flying home from London before the Royal Wedding to report live from Alabama.

-Our best wishes goes out to California's Governor Jerry Brown who had surgery for skin cancer on his nose.

-My sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Kam Kuwata who passed away last month. He was a very close advisor to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and a highly respected political consultant in California.

-The annual brunch, held before the White House Correspondents Dinner, hosted by Tammy Haddad attracted Sarah Palin but Washingtonians seem more attracted to Matthew Morrison, Tim Daly, Chance Crawford and Joan Rivers. Politicos can never compete with Hollywood in Washington!

-Trump was not in a good mood at the White House Correspondents Dinner because of being the brunt of some very funny and pointed jokes. He said they were "inappropriate." This was big news in our nation's capital since no one even knew that Trump was aware of what was good taste or not. Kudos to both the President and SNL comedian Seth Meyers for so cleverly and completely skewering the glowering Trump.

-Very interesting mix of folks this week at The Glass House Tavern. From my perch in "Mixner's Corner" I could see Alabama football star Marcell Dareus who was drafted the next day by the Buffalo Bills. In addition seen breaking bread was Gavin Creel (photograph), Judith Light, and Ms. New York Claire Buffie.

-The IMF predicts that China's economy in real terms will pass the United States in the year 2015. Interesting video of it by clicking here.

-Still very disturbing news coming out of the disaster zone. There are up to 400 still missing from the storms and that is increasingly looking like a solid count. The death toll could reach in the 400 to 500 range. The number of tornados in April set an all time record for any month in recorded history. Especially hard to take is that at least a dozen University of Alabama students were killed.

-24/7 cams are all the rage now with Bald Eagle and Hawk babies being watched around the clock. The new addition to the world of "too cute' is a litter of two week old Shiba pups. I can't stop watching! Take a peek at them!

-From the archives comes this tape with Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming shortly after the terror attack on New York on 9/11. Doesn't seem to be one of her better times. Alan is handsome as always! Hard to believe this was a decade ago.

.

2012 Presidential Race: "Ready? Set? Go!"

 

 

 
 President Obama made it official on Monday that he is running for a second term. The Republicans appear to be slow coming out of the gate and, even in the most generous of descriptions, have a decidedly weak field of candidates. The race will be a close one no matter who the Republicans give the nomination of their party. In many ways, we are in an ideological civil war and it hardly makes a difference who heads each ticket. Never have two colors, red and blue, become so powerful in political terms.

Our President will not have a serious primary campaign and can almost relax with certainty that there will not be a moderate/progressive third party candidate (read Bloomberg here) to hurt his chances. Over the next months he will be raising funds, unifying the Party and remind voters exactly what is at stake in this election.

The Republicans on the other hand have a treacherous journey to the nomination. They must navigate a crowded field of lackluster retreaded candidates, appease the Tea Party and keep the right wing fringe happy on social issues while appearing to be mainstream. Their recently elected governors on an anti-Labor crusade have not helped them with Independents.

First Read came out with their first 'electoral count.' Can you believe it is already that time again? Didn't we just finish this process? Wow. At this moment, here is how they read the current political scene state by state. Bottom line is that the Dems have 232 Electorial Votes, the Republicans have 191 votes with another 115 in the toss-up column. It is going to be a long election.

Solid Dem: DC, DE, HI, MD, MA, NY, RI, VT (67 electoral votes)

Likely Dem: CA, CT, IL, ME, WA, OR (105)

Lean Dem: MI, MN, NJ, PA (60)

Toss-up: CO, FL, IA, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, VA, WI (115)

Lean GOP: AZ, GA, MO, MT, NE (one EV) (41)

Likely GOP: AL, AR, IN, LA, MS, NE (four EVs), ND, SC, SD, TX (97)

Solid GOP: AK, ID, KS, KY, OK, TN, UT, WV, WY